Protective device for bank tellers



1 109. SAFES, BANK PROTECTION AND RELATED DEVICES.

Filled August 12. 1924 s Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEY.

109. SAFES, BANK PROTECTION AND RELATED DEVICES.

April 20 1926.

T. M. BRINTNALL ET AL PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR BANK TELLERS Filed August 12, 1924.- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TORS 109. SN t5, BANK r'uuuzouuw AND RELATED DEVICES.

Patented Apr. 20, 1926.

UNITE STATES PATET FFICE.

THOMAS M. BRINTNALL AND GUSTAVE G. UTI-I, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR BANK TELLERS.

Application filed August 12, 1924. Serial No. 731,604.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS M. BRINT- NALL and GUsTAvE G. Urn, citizens of the United States, and residents of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Protective Devices for Bank Tellers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to protec tive devices for banks and like establishments where currency and valuables are handled, and pertains more particularly to protective devices for the cages occupied by bank tellers and the like.

It will be understood, in the consideration of the present invention, that step by step I protection against robbery of banks has been greatly increased until at the present time the bank bandit finds day-light robbery of banks more profitable and less hazardous than the apparently insurmountable task of breaking into a modern vault. As is evidenced by the newspapers of today, daylight robberies of banks are very common and it is the prime object of this invention to make any attempt of daylight robbery particularly hazardous, if not practically impossible of accomplishment.

In the modern bank, with its modern interior arrangement, all safes, vaults and tills containing currency and negotiable instruments are well enclosed within suitable enclosures and cages, and the bandits first task is to get the individuals within the enclosures under his control, and force them to either pass out currency or allow the bandit admission to the enclosures. In small banks with a single or a few employees the bandit may get control of his victims by threatening them. all at the point of a gun. In larger banks where this is impossible, he proceeds unostentatiously to a tellers window. The teller within the cage is quietly advised, by word of mouth: or by printed notice, and at the point of a gun, to pass out currency within his reach. There is, of course, always the actual or implied threat that failure to do so instantly, or any attempt on the tellers part to sound an alarm will result in his being shot.

The control which a bandit may have over a teller, even when separated by wickets and bullet-proof glass, is more or less psychological. It is, therefore, another object is invariably closed by a gate or hinged wicket. Said wicket is raised a slight distance above the counter so that usual bun dies of currency, pass books and the like may be passed back and forth without the necessity of opening the wicket. The bandits method is to take advantage of the situation by poking a gun through the said space in full view of the teller. In View of the immediately foregoing, it is another object of the invention to provide for the teller, without apparent movement, rendering the bandits gun substantially ineffective and harmless.

To a great degree, the bandits success in mentally overpowering the teller resides in the fact that he may face the teller squarely and the latter instantly realizes his dangerous position and he senses the danger of any attempt to sound a signal or make a move for his gun. It is another object of the invention to provide means whereby the teller, figuratively speaking, vanishes from the vision of the bandit before the latter can make any dangerous move.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for carrying out the above mentioned objects which may be installed without appreciably remodeling or altering the present design of counters, wickets, entablatures and the like.

Other important objects and advantages of our invention are apparent hereinafter and will be best understood by virtue of the order of their occurrence hereinafter.

We have illustrated by the accompanying drawings two typical embodiments of our invention.

In the said drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of our invention applied to a bank tellers cage;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical mid-section thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in section seen on a line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in section seen 011 a line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

front wall 16.

Figure is a magnified view of the parts shown in the extreme upper right hand part of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view in section seen on a line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective of a modified form of the invention Figure 8 is a view in vertical section of a sectional form of closure which may be used on either of the embodiments illustrated.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, 10 indicates the usual counter supported by legs 11 to provide a clear space 12 beneath the counter for the receipt of re leasing mechanism, which is indicated generally by the numeral 13. The counter is supplemented by the usual fixtures, such as entablatures 14, pilasters 15 and counter- The construction and arrangement of such fixtures is well under stood and needs no specific description here in. In the said embodiment, we have departed slightly from usual practice in that spaces such as 17, which are generally closed by panels of bulletproof glass 18, are closed only at the upper part by such glass, while the lower part is closed by spaced steel plates 19 and 20. The glass panels and steel plates are held by the usual transverse and vertical channel members, such as 21 and 22, respectively, such construction being common to the art.

The steel plates are provided with a plurality of well spaced drilled holes 23, and each plate is of suhicient thickness to be bullet-proof, of itself. The intermediate space 24 is in communication with the atmosphere through respective holes 23 so that the plates do not preclude circulation of air or ventilation. It will be noted that the apertures provided in one plate are stag gered respective to the apertures in the other plate so that the complete wall formed by the two plates is a barrier to vision and is bullet-proof.

Centrally of the counter, there is provided the usual gate opening 25 which is partially closed by a wicket 26. The wicket is placed slightly above the counter to provide a narrow space 27 through which currency, pass boo-ks and the like may be passed with the wicket in closed position.

From each pilaster, such as 28, which frames the gate opening or window (see Figures 2 and 4), there extends a wing 29. A forward portion 30 of each wing is metal and the rear portion 31 is bullet-proof glass.

In immediate abutment with the pilasters which frame the window, we provide channel members 32. Said channel members each include walls 33, 34, and 36, respectively, joining each other integrally at right angles as shown particularly in Figure 4. *Wall 33 abuts the pilaster and may be suitably attached thereto. Figure 4 is a view in scction looking upward at the channel member and pilaster which stands to the right of the window as seen in the perspective. Said figure also truly represents a section looking downward on the same line of the left hand pilaster and channel member. Wall 34, and the channel member complete, may be used for securing the metal portion of the corre sponding wing relative to the pilaster.

Wall 35 of the channel member extends rearwardly from wall 33 at a right angle, and from said wall 35 the wall 36 extends at a right angle to parallel wall 34. In the partially enclosed space or channel bounded by walls 33, 35 and 36, we provide a long bar 37 of rectangular cross section.

In conformity with a salient feature of our invention, we provide a continuous shaft 38 which is mounted just below and to the rear of the entablature and parallel thereto. By passing the shaft through apertures 39 in the wings of the window, we provide for supporting the shaft so that it may oscillate. Other hearings or bearing hangers, (not shown) may be provided at any points required.

On the shaft there are mounted a plurality of plate-like closures 40 which are secured to the shaft by screws 41 as shown particularly in Figure 5. Each closure is of such depth that upon being swung downward parallel with the front wall, each closure will cover the corresponding glass panel. That closure which is placed between the wings of the window is the same depth as the other and, therefore, in order to provide for fully obscuring the window another closure 40 is provided, likewise a corresponding short shaft 38'. The ends 43 of shaft 38" extend a suitable distance through the wings and the metal walls 35 and 36 of the channel members are cut away as at 44, where the shaft protrudes from the corresponding wing. Walls 35 and 36 also terminate at 45 just below the upper shaft 38, while the other walls of the channel member may continue upwardly.

At suitable points along the shaft, coil springs 46 are wound. One end 47 of each spring is engaged over the plate-like closure, as shown in Figure 5, while the other end 48 is inserted in the enta-blature and so held. It will be apparent now that when the closures are raised from vertical to open horizontal position, the shaft will be turned a quarter revolution and the springs will be wound up. The energy stored in the springs will be available to snap the closures into vertical closed position wl'lenever the closures are allowed to so move.

The lower closure provided for the window is suitably mounted and attached to its shaft. The wicket is built to hold a narrow transverse, horizontally extending plate or guard 50, which forms a false entablature l09. SAHZB, lI-\|\|Y\ lriullluiluul AND RELATED DEVICES.

for the lower half of the Window and provides a guard from the shaft 38 and its springs, as well as serving as a means for securing the spring ends.

The closures are preferably made of single sheets of bullet-proof steel and are curved slightly to tend to deflect the bullets which might strike them as they are descending. Suitable stops, such as 51, are provided for each side of each closure, the drawings showing only the stops for the central closures. Said stops are preferably fibre plates secured to the corresponding wing as by screws 52. The inner edge 53 of each stop is curved to conform to the contour or curvature of the closures so that the closures abut the stops at many points, thereby reducing the shock.

At the cut-away points 144, the rectangular shafts are exposed and at such exposed points there are provided a plurality of lugs 54. Said lugs are preferably metal cubes, each secured to the rod by a screw 55. The lugs each present an abutment surface 56. For each lug there is provided a latch member 57 which is keyed to its shaft as at 58, and each latch presents an abutment surface 59 arranged toabut the surface 56 of the lug. lVhen said surfaces are in abutment, the shafts are locked against movement and the closure plates are held in horizontal open position.

Obviously the springs hold the latches firmly against the lugs, and upon the lugs being moved vertically downward away from the latches, the shafts are free to turn and the closures will be shut practically instantaneously by the action of the springs.

The rectangular rod, which carries the lugs, is extended down through the counter to terminate as at 60, adjacent the floor 61. Said rod, as at 62, is pivotally connected to a lateral frame member such as 63, which is oscillatably mounted on a fixed shaft '64..

Frame member 63 is joined to a similar frame member 64: by a pair of transverse rods 65, all of which'act to form a framelike treadle or foot lever." Suitable hangers 66 provide for oscillatably supporting the foot lever, and a spring 66' acts to hold the parts in the position shown with the lugs in abutment with the rounded surfaces 67 of the latch members. Thus the rectangular rod, and its attached lugs, are safely held in locking position.

As to the operation and advantages of the embodiment just described, it will be noted that transverse rod 65, upon being raised, will draw the rectangular bar down and so release the closures. Said rod is arranged to conveniently provide a foot rest for a person standing behind said counter and by such arrangement accidental operation of the closures is insured against. In fact, to release the closures it is necessary to place the foot under the rod 65, and lift the foot to raise the bar. Such is not at all apt to be done accidentally, or thoughtlessly, but may be done knowingly with ease, particularly when standing.

Assuming, now, that the closures are in closed position, those closures which are situate between the wings, are raised simul taneously to horizontal position while the foot lever is held in raised position. Now, with the cams arranged in looking position, by virtue of the position of the closures and shafts, the foot lever is released and the lugs will be moved upwardly by the foot lever spring until said lugs are in locking position behind the latches.

The closures are now in position ready for any emergency which might arise. The wings provide for currency and the like (not shown) being contained on the counter behind the wings so that it cannot be reached by a thief standing outside of the cage or in front of the counter. l/Vhen a teller is standing to either side of the window, as in substantially the position in which the View (Figure 1) is taken, the bullet-proof wing comes between him and the window opening. In that position he is protected from a bandit facing the window and fro-1n his position he may reach under the counter to operate the release, without coming within gun shot of the bandit.

The principal emergency, which it is object of the device to protect against, is that which arises when the teller is standing before the window and a bandit approaches. Immediately that the teller is threatened or held up he merely has to raise one foot a slight distance and the mechanism is released to force the closures into position almost instantly. Even should the bandit fire a shot while the closures were descending, the bullet would be deflected. Instantly that the closures are released, the teller is safe to make a move for his gun and to sound an alarm. One feature, which will prove most battling to the bandit, is that all openings to the cage are instantly closed before he is aware of what has happened. The bandit cannot see or know what is going on behind the counter and as a consequence he will be completely outwitted and attempt immediate escape from the building.

It will be seen now that we have provided a; very effective protection against bank-holdups and with such apparatus installed in the banks the tellers feel safer and the lone bandit is discouraged from ever making an attempt at robbing a bank so equipped.

By closing the window with two closures, instead of one, each closure is shorter and does not project inwardly as far. By vir tue of the arrangement shown, the tellers vision is not interrupted, the upper closure being disposed above his head and the lower &

closure somewhat below his horizontal line of vision.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, parts substantially similar to those just described are similarly numbered, whereas the parts which are peculiar to this embodiment, or different from those of the first described embodiment, are hereinafter designated. In this form of the invention we provide a single square tubular member 60 in which the rectangular rod is housed. The latches or cams abut the ends of the rod directly. There is provided an upper closure 81 for the upper part of the window which Is fixed to its shaft and the latter is movable by its springs to bring the closure into abutment with the stops. Instead of the glass wings, as shown previously, we provide a hood 62 for the lower half of the window, said hood being open at the rear as at 63. In transacting business, money, pass books and the like may be passed through the hood while the estrous are visible through the upper half of a window. The hood discourages or precludes sneak-thieving. It also provides safety for the teller against bandits, unless the teller happens to be directly in front of the window, in which case he depends upon closing the windows in the manner about to be described.

The hood includes side walls 65 and an inclined top wall 66. The top wall may be of metal or bullet-proof glass, as desired. The open inner end of the hood is adapted to be closed by a closure 67. Said closure is provided with its own shaft and latch, while a second rectangular bar 69 is provided for co-acting with the latch to hold the closures in open position. The closures are set and locked in open position in the same manner previously described. The releasing mechanism below the counted is similar to that previously described, but in addition a rock shaft 70 is provided to operate both rec- (angular bars simultaneously. The rock shaft connects with the bars by two toggles 71, 71. For operating the shaft by the foot lever, we extend rod 65 to the right. o provide a hanger 72 in which the rock shaft bears, as at 73, and the said rod is operative 1y connected with the rock shaft through the links 7 1 and 75. It will be apparent now that when the foot lever is raised link 74, which is guided by the hanger, as at 76, will be forced upwardly. Now the rock shaft will be turned to move the remote ends of the toggles downwardly and so the upper ends of the rectangular bars will be withdrawn from supporting the latches. It will be noted that when the foot lever is actuated the upper closure will move downwardly and forwardly. while the lower closure moves downwardly and inwardly. This latter is curved so that should a bullet strike the closure while it is descending it will be deflected up against the top wall of the hood to be fully arrested thereby.

In Figure 8 we have shown a modified construction for a closure of the character described. Said modified closure includes two sections and 81. In this construction, the rectangular rod and closure shaft with its latch, spring, etc., are provided. Section 81 is pivotally connected to section 82, by means of coiled springs 88. The latter tend always to move the section 81 into a plane with the other sections. To hold the section in parallel relationship to the other section, section 81 is provided at each side with a latch which abuts the end of a bar 84. The bar is slidably held upon section 80 by guides 85, so that the inner end of the bar is held in abutment with the adjacent end of the rectangular vertical rod. It will be seen that when the rod is pulled downward both latches are left free and the closure will move into the respective dotted line position as it descends. This form of shutter may be caused to close very rapidly, as each portion has a comparatively short travel.

It will be apparent now that we have provided means for carrying out the objects mentioned and for eifectively closing tellers cage windows and like apertures, and while we have shown and described a specific embodiment of our invention, and modifications thereof, we do not limit ourselves to any specific construction or arrangement of parts, and may alter the construction and arrangement of parts as we desire or as occasion requires, without enlarging the scope of our invention within the appended claims.

We claim 1. In combination, a counter, a vertical wall forwardly thereof provided with an aperture extending upwardly from the counter, an open end hood arched over the counter with its forward end immediately adjacent said aperture and the rear end re mote from said aperture, and a closure adjacent the rear end of the hood, movable to open position to permit passage of money and the like through said hood; said closure also movable to effectually close said openmg.

2. In combination, a counter, a vertical '109. SAHLS, BANK ll'iUlllUllUN AND RELATED DEVICES.

counter, an open end hood arched over the counter with its forward end immediately adjacent said aperture and the rear end remote from said aperture, a closure, disposed adjacent said rear end, movable to effectually close the rear end of the hood; said closure adapted to be disposed in substantially horizontal open position, and means urging said closure to closed position, and other means operable from below the counter to release said first named means.

4. In combination, a counter, a vertical wall forwardly thereof provided with an aperture extending upwardly from the counter, an open end hood arched over the counter with its forward end immediately adjacent said aperture and the rear end remote from said aperture; said hood comprising parallel side walls and a top wall, a closure at the rear end of the hood movable to substantially vertical position to close said hood; said closure also movable to open position in substantial contiguity with said top wall.

5. In combination, a counter, a vertical wall forwardly thereof provided with an aperture extending upwardly from the counter, an open end hood arched over the counter with its forward end immediately adjacent said aperture and the rear end remote from said aperture; said hood comprising parallel side walls and a top wall, a closure at the rear of the hood movable to substantially vertical position to close said hood; said closure also movable to open position in substantial contiguity with said top wall; the aperture rising considerably above said hood, and a second closure above said hood for the upper part of said aperture; said second closure movable to horizontal position to open said aperture.

6. In combination, a counter, a vertical wall forwardly thereof provided with an aperture extending upwardly from the counter, an open end hood arched over the counter with its forward end immediately adjacent said aperture and the rear end re mote from said aperture, a top wall to said hood, a closure having its upper end pivoted adjacent said top wall; said closure arranged to be moved to open position substantially parallel to said top wall, and being arranged to swing downwardly to closed position.

THOMAS M. BRINTNALL. GUSTAVE G. UTH. 

